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Not enough words can describe just how valuable steel is when it comes to many different kinds of endeavors. For the construction industry, this material has been utilized for the purposes of adding stability to virtually almost any kind of structure. This may be in the form of reinforced bars, or steel beams, just to name a few. In construction, as well as other kinds of industries, it’s important to determine the many things to consider in buying steel products.
Not all steel materials have been manufactured in conjunction with industry-grade practices. On the end of the manufacturer, they may utilize low-carbon steel which has lower tensile strength – meaning the material is more prone to different forms of warping and damage. On your end as a consumer, budget constraints might prevent you from purchasing a steel product whose qualities have been properly enhanced through different treatments. Read on to learn more about the various factors you have to consider when it comes to choosing steel.
The quality of the steel material is definitely a factor that you wouldn’t want to overlook. For whatever purpose you may use this material, a poorly-made steel product will only result in undesirable situations.
To give another example, when you’re choosing steel materials for piping installations, you have to ensure that the material won’t just suddenly become more prone to perforations or cracks. Aside from the steel pipe not being able to serve its purpose, – transporting fluids for purposes of ventilation – leakage might take place in the pipes, causing a potential explosion.
To avoid this, you have to make sure that the steel pipe is not haphazardly done. Whether you’re choosing seamless or seamed pipes, ensure that there are no irregularities in the shape of the material, which can be prone to breakage once subjected to the slightest bit of pressure.
In conjunction with the quality, you would also likely expect any steel product that you’ll purchase to provide the highest level of durability. Durable steel material can guarantee you that you won’t have to spend an unnecessary amount of money in simply having to constantly make repairs or changes to the material. On another note, this is also a way for you to ensure the safety of your surroundings.
Not all kinds of steel have the same anti-corrosive properties. However, there are methods which can be undergone to increase this feature. In particular, galvanized steel, or steel which has been applied with a protective zinc coating, is typically more durable and stable compared to one which has not undergone the process.
Through galvanization, the ability of the steel product to withstand the changes caused by weathering is greatly enhanced. While you can always opt for stainless steel, which does not typically require galvanization, it can prove to be more expensive compared to galvanized steel.
Before purchasing a steel product, you have to make sure that you already have a clear picture in your mind of the specific material which you want. You wouldn’t want to waste money on a material that does not do the job it’s meant for. On the other hand, you would also want to think about the long-term benefits of investing in a more expensive, yet more effective product.
To better illustrate this, picture a parking garage. While traditional steel beams may be used, you’d be better off considering the alternative, being castellated steel beams. They’re less expensive than the normal steel beams, but they’re more lightweight, durable, and are able to withstand the pressure created by carrying different loads.
Going back to piping installations, it would be more advantageous for you to purchase galvanized pipe fittings to go along with steel pipes. This further ensures that the entire material would be free from oxidation, which is not unacceptable in any process which involves the transmission of fluids.
The supplier is also another important consideration in buying steel products. This is, after all, your main point of contact when it comes to any inquiries regarding your questions.
A good steel supplier would be able to satisfactorily answer any inquiries you may have about their products. More importantly, they should be run by a team of experts who understand the different processes involved in steel-making – galvanization, heat treatment, metal fabrication, and the like. If you’re not necessarily knowledgeable about this kind of material, your supplier would be able to help you out. Furthermore, they would also be able to make suggestions for you with regards to the most appropriate product to use and have these products available in their inventory.
Aside from all those attributes mentioned above, your steel supplier’s reputability is also important. A way for you to ensure this is to conduct research on what their other customers say about them. You could also check information regarding how many years they’ve been in the steel supplying industry for good measure.
The many properties of steel are one of the reasons why many industries make use of them. Of course, this would not be possible without having adequate knowledge of the things to consider in buying steel products.
When buying steel, make sure that its quality has met or exceeded industry standards. Steel should also be able to exhibit longevity, especially for high-power and high-impact uses in complex systems. Finally, you’d need to have a clear understanding of what purpose the material would be used for in order to create more cost-efficient solutions for you.
5 Things to Consider When Buying Steel Products
If you’re thinking about buying a metal building, here is what you should know first.
Yes. Metal buildings are cheaper than wood. The exact price difference depends on the current cost of steel versus lumber. You can generally expect the shell of a wood building to cost about twice as much as a metal building.
Metal buildings are cheaper than buildings made out of wood or other materials. But that doesn’t mean they are of poor quality.
We did our own study to find out if repo storage buildings were cheaper than new storage buildings. We found that the average discount on a used building was only 12%, and that the used buildings we found were on average 42% more expensive than the new buildings we sell.
Metal buildings are usually a good investment because of their low cost to build, their long lifespan, and their low cost of maintenance. Adding a metal garage or shop to your home will usually increase the value of your property more than the amount you pay for the building.
Prefab metal buildings cost anywhere between $8 and $30 per square foot. This includes the price of delivery and installation, but not the cost of permits, site preparation, and a concrete foundation. The total cost will usually fall between $14 to $45 per square foot.
A concrete foundation will usually cost at least $8 per square foot. In some areas the price will be lower, but usually it will be higher. The biggest factor is the local cost of labor. If you pour your own foundation, you only need to pay for the cost of the concrete and any tools and supplies that you need.
Some manufacturers offer financing for metal buildings. Some lenders like New Century Bank and Acorn Finance specialize in financing metal buildings. A metal garage can be financed with a second mortgage, a cash-out refinance, or a home equity line of credit.
Steel and aluminum are both used for prefabricated metal buildings. Aluminum is softer and is more likely to scratch and dent. Steel is stronger and more durable, so it is more commonly used to construct metal buildings.
Steel is stronger and more durable than aluminum, so it is a better material than aluminum for metal buildings. Large metal buildings are often made out of red iron I-beams. Red iron is actually steel that is coated with iron oxide. Smaller buildings are typically made with galvanized steel framing and panels.
Pre-engineered metal buildings are buildings that are designed and manufactured in a factory, and then transported and installed at the building site. Pre-engineered metal buildings are more cost effective than buildings constructed on-site because there is almost no material or labor wasted in the construction process.
Alan’s Factory Outlet sells metal buildings and metal garages in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
Most steel building will last at least 50 years, with minimal maintenance. With regular annual inspection and care, metal buildings can last more than 100 years. Metal builds can withstand many extreme weather conditions without incurring any damage.
Those who want the highest quality metal building should select the following features:
Metal buildings can be designed and built to withstand hurricane-force winds. The strongest hurricanes are class 5 hurricanes, with sustained winds that are at least 157 mph. You can get a metal building with a certification for winds up to 170 mph, which can survive most hurricanes.
About 1% of tornadoes are violent EF4 or EF5 tornadoes, with wind speeds above 207 mph, sometimes reaching speeds above 300 mph. Very few buildings will survive a direct hit from these violent storms. Metal buildings can be certified for 170 mph winds. These buildings are safe in most tornadoes.
Metal buildings can be grounded with metal rods driven into the ground that are bonded to the metal frame of the building. If lightning strikes the building, the electricity simply passes through the metal framing and into the ground.
A properly grounded metal building is safe during a lighting storm, provided no one is touching the metal frame, metal siding, or any conductive material that is attached to the metal shell of the building. Like any building, nearby lightning strikes may disrupt electrical systems that are not equipped with surge protectors.
Note: Buildings sold by Alan’s Factory Outlet are not designed or intended to be used as homes.
Metal buildings can be safe to live in. However, they should be designed and built as a home and properly insulated. Metal buildings that are designed as garages are not air-tight, and are not designed for use as a home.
Laws vary widely between locations. The fastest way to find the laws in your area is to call the zoning planning department for the city or county that you live in.
Yes. A metal building may be used as a house if it is constructed to local codes for residential structures. Barndominiums are metal homes that have been gaining in popularity in recent years.
Metal buildings can be disassembled and moved more easily than most other types of buildings. However, moving a metal building is still a complex operation. Obviously, the foundation of the building cannot be moved. A new foundation will need to be poured before moving the metal building.
The metal buildings we sell have the colors baked on. These colors last a long time and do not easily fade. If you want to paint your metal building a different color, you can use a metal specific paint, or paint the building with a metal primer before using an exterior paint.
Yes. There are several ways to insulate a metal building:
At Alan’s Factory Outlet we offer double bubble and woven R-17 insulation.
Insulation is optional, but offers several benefits:
Metal buildings are insulated by attaching insulation to the inner walls and ceiling of the building.
Check out our Metal Garage Buyer’s Guide if you’re shopping for a metal garage.
Use our free 3D metal building designer if you’re ready to design and price a metal building or garage.
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